It has been a full year since the Midcoast had its first cases of COVID-19.  In recognition of this anniversary, we reached out to interview some of the health care workers who have made so many sacrifices to take care of us.  

Emily Weigel, R.N., has been a front line worker for almost 30 years. She first got into healthcare because of her interest in science and sports. She currently works in the critical care unit in Maine at Pen Bay Medical Center and previously had the opportunity to work in Washington, D.C,, and Boulder, Colorado. Weigel has spent time working in open-heart surgery, neurosurgery and education departments.

With the pandemic, one thing we have all learned is to be more flexible. This is the first time we’ve done this, everyone has been learning while doing.

“I feel more proud now, than I ever have,” said Weigel, adding that the Midcoast community has been appreciative.

Like many during the pandemic, she was worried about taking COVID-19 home to her family. Weigel has always been close with them, she said. but COVID-19 has made it hard for them to connect. But it also made Weigel realize how much she appreciates them. 

Weigel and her coworkers find it important to work together as a team, both inside and outside of the hospital.

Before COVID-19, the team would find some way to de-stress outside of work after a long day. They look forward to being able to do that as the pandemic comes to an end.

Even though Weigel doesn't consider herself a worrier, the pandemic made her concerned. The pandemic has taken a physical and mental health toll on everybody in a multitude of ways. 

Weigel learned to be patient with one another because everyone is dealing with the situation differently, but we all want the same thing.

We want a healthy family. We want a healthy community. We want a healthcare system that's going to help take care of us and people approach it different ways but I think our end game is the same. So I think I would just tell myself, just keep an even keel, which I think we did.